Free Day of Dance 2013 is Saturday

Day of Dance 2013 will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 2, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Belfast Dance Studio, 109 High St., Belfast. It is a free community celebration of heart health and children are welcome to attend with a parent.

From noon to 12:45 p.m., attendees can choose between Intro to Belly Dance with Anabee Beal or Cape Breton Step Dance with Bob McCormick.

Beal has been studying Middle Eastern Dance for the past eight year and has been teaching in the Lewiston/Auburn area for the past three years. Her classes focus on traditional style, Raqs Sharqi, musicality for dancers and having fun!

McCormick has stepped for the past 15 years. He received eight years of professional training at the Gaelic College in St. Ann’s, Cape Breton. A physical education teacher in Blue Hill, McCormick will introduce dancers the low-to-the-floor, intricate step-dancing, that is the Cape Breton Step Dance.

At 1 p.m., the choices will be Hip Hop Fusion with Shana Bloomstein or African Dance with Lisa Newcomb and live drumming by Jeff Densmore.

Bloomstein has studied dance throughout Maine, at Hampshire College, in New York City and in Senegal, West Africa. Her experience and knowledge as a yoga instructor, massage therapist and physical therapy assistant provide important tools for creating a safe environment in which to learn.

The founder and director of the Belfast Dance Studio since 1985, Newcomb teaches dance and yoga to children and adults. She has been teaching and studying different forms of African and Caribbean dance for the past 20 years. Densmore has been drumming for performances and dance classes at the Belfast Dance Studio for more than 15 years. He has studied drumming in Maine, New York City and Guinea, West Africa.

From 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., Judi Erickson will lead Zumba Gold for beginners while Katie Tranzillo will focus on Zumba for Kids (ages 5 to 12).

Erickson;s background includes theatrical dance and movement, Latin and standard ballroom, rock ‘n roll line dance and belly dance. She is a certified dance instruction in ZumbaA® and has taught for the last five years.

Tranzillo has trained with master teachers and dancers from all over the country. Her classes are designed to increase focus and self-confidence, boost metabolism, improve coordination, increase cultural awareness and develop teamwork and creativity.